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ineffable special interests

@a-bisexual-panicking

i have so many problems that can all be resolved by being teleported in a fictional universe

My doctor and therapist: now with this autism + ADHD diagnosis you need to learn to unmask because masking all the time will make you burn out again and feel like shit

Other people: well it's just interesting how after getting the diagnosis you suddenly start behaving like that I mean I'm not saying you're faking it's just funny how you suddenly cannot be normal like you were before

THIS IS SO TRUE!

bUt yOu nEveR hAd a pRoBLem wiTH this bEfOre?!

BITCH I have spent 35 years thinking I was just inherently bad at being a person, now I find out I have a disability? That it’s actually (checks notes) NOT THIS HARD FOR EVERYONE?! What the fuck do you mean other people aren’t getting distracted because they can hear the electricity?! Yeah I think I’m gonna give myself a break actually. The microwave IS too loud, now fuck off.

"you never acted autistic as a child"

mom, I used to think that since no one else seemed to struggle with the things I struggled with there must have been something really wrong with me and in order to avoid being perceived as crazy (thank you grandma for planting the idea in my head that anything slightly different than neurotypical is "crazy") I started using all my energy to hide the pain I felt when I was overstimulated and/or burnout, yes that is why I was such a quiet kid

I hate that thing some people do where it's like. "I left my wallet on the table to see if you'd say anything" or "I wanted to see if you'd wash the car if I stopped doing it"

Cause like

I dont know about anyone else

But I am perpetually hovering three inches above the strong subconscious belief that everyone knows what they're doing at all times except me, so if you change your normal patterns and I notice, then I will assume it is an intentional choice with a thought-out plan behind it and I will avoid interfering

And if I don't notice, because I won't, because why would I, because not much bothers me and if you don't say anything to indicate you are bothered then how would I KNOW

Alternatives to experimenting on me like a lab rat when you suspect me of being inconsiderate:

  1. "I feel like I'm the only one who does this chore. Can we start taking turns?"
  2. "I'd like you to ask me how I'm doing more often."
  3. "It bothers me when this area stays messy so long. Can you do X when Y happens?"
  4. "I feel like the onus is on me to initiate X, and it's wearing me down. Could you try making the first move more? Like 3-4 times a week?"
  5. "I'm feeling upset right now and I'd like to spend some time with you."
  6. "When X happens, I feel like you're taking my work for granted."
  7. "I'm feeling neglected. Could you do X?"
  8. "I'm burnt out and need help."
  9. "I feel like I'm the only one putting effort into X."
  10. "Do you notice this?"
  11. "Are you bothered by this?"
  12. "I am bothered when this happens."
  13. "X habit of yours bothers me."
  14. "When X is like this, I feel bad. Can you [action] when you notice X?"

people need to understand that

NO ONE CAN READ MINDS

I told my students they're allowed to be creative and don't have to be factual when writing about themselves in German because I keep getting questions like "what if I don't have roommates or what if I don't have hobbies" and I'm like guys just make something up! Have fun! I won't fact check you!

So now I am grading homework where a student is claiming to be from North Korea and his hobby is tax fraud

I fully believe that as long as it's grammatically correct, coherent and answering the question students should be able to write whatever the hell they want. I don't care about their actual hobbies and the names of their siblings.

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